I hope to use this blog as an avenue to express my thoughts and adventures of all of my fishing expeditions and any other journeys I may undertake.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Looking For That Ultra Light Fly Reel

I have been on the look out for a smaller fly reel for my 3 Wt. I am trying to go as light as I can with my fly rods and reels. The older I get the less I like to fishall day with a weighted combo. I can get a much better feel for the fish I am pursuing with a light combo as opposed to heavier setup. I recently purchased a 4wt. to give me some balance between by 3 an 5wt. rods. I was using a G-Lomis reel on my 3 wt rod at the time when I purchase my 4wt. I never really got the balance I was looking for with the 3wt rod and G-Lommis reel. So this brings me back to the smaller and lighter reel to balance out the 3 wt. I have been looking on the net and came across some nice reels with some nice prices, but just can’t bring myself to spend the high dollars for such a reel. White River from BassPro has an ultra light reel with the following info.----

This is a fully machined, fully featured fly reel . Prototypes were extensively tested on Wyoming's Green River. In heavy current, with most of the fly line gone, and 6x tippet, they performed like a champ. Those fish measured in pounds, not inches. The all-steel, one-way bearing, polished steel drag stack, and the meticulous attention to detail in every step of manufacture make the Classic Fly Reel one of the finest reels you'll ever own at any price. The 2-1/2" ultralight model is perfect for short, small-stream rods and has a click-and-pawl drag. Check out this link at BassPro Ultralight Fly Reel for a view of the reel and additional specs. I just got a comment from Chris Barclay about an ultralight reel in the Redington Brand. Got a comment today on Ross Fly Reels from Bigerrfish. I will continue to weight all recommedations. If anyone else has another reel in mind just give me a comment.

15 comments:

Excellent post, Bill. Lightweight reels are a treat but can be very expensive. I have a Redington Drift click/pawl reel that balanced my 3 wt. nicely. You don't want to get something too light (which I'm afraid the Bass pro reel might be) or you'll have a tip heavy rod and may fatigue you in a different way.The guys over at the Ultralight fly fishing forum have great info on what balances rods well too.

I hope the forum has some info for you - it's a great group of folks. I've been thinking of getting a Sage 3100 reel (now discontinued) for an incoming 2 weight but it's hard to find one that isn't too spendy. If you aren't too stuck on getting a reel with a disc drag, then there are quite a few options out there by some seemingly no name makers.

you need to check out Ross Reels.. they have the lightest reels on the market, some say too light and I am one of those some. I had to put a 5wt reel on my 4wt to get the ballance that Im used to. that came from using crap gear for so long that Im used to a heavy reel,, but for you sounds like you want light as you can get, so if you look at the ross reels you will find what you are looking for for sure!!! the draw back is they are extreamly proud of them and that effects the price, but they back it up with a lifetime warrenty.. look at the Evolution series..

JoshI like the Ross Reel especially the width. I am not one to go for a fly reel with a wide dia. I like the sleek look more than the robust look if that makes sense. The weight is not a problem because as stated in the post I am looking for lightness. I will weight all options. I want to get as many recommendation as possible before I make a decision. Thanks for the comment.

Chris What length 2 wt are you getting? I thought at one time I would go with a 2 wt. but settled for my 3 which I really like. I am sold on Temple Fork rods they are some of the lightness fly rods I have ever used. I will check out the forum. Thanks for the comment.

Bill, I just remembered a nice lightweight reel that is very reasonable cost wise. It's made by Dennison and can be found here:http://www.dennisonspecialtyflyreels.com/servlet/Detail?no=18Several guys on the UL forum have a like them quite a bit.

I'm trying to find that ultra light combo as well. I had a buddy who was cleaning out his garage. He had a 1wt Orvis Rod. I figured that would be like using a peice of wheat grass. It was a really nice rod. He had a 1wt reel with 2wt line on it. It cast like a dream. I guess Orvis doesn't make those anymore. I might offer him some money for it, but I doubt he wants to get rid of it.

Hi KevGet that rig if you can, it does sound like an awesome set-up. I hope to get the right combo for me when I locate that reel that will give me the balance I am looking for. Thanks for the comment.

Thanks ChrisJust looked at the reel and I really like the features. I am not sure that the dia. is big enough to hold all the 3 wt. line I would spool on it. I am going to go back and compare all the recommendatins all you guys have given me and then make a decision. Thanks to all of you for the help in selecting my Christmas present from my wife.

You're exactly right, Bill. I didn't remember until after I wrote that the Dennison reel, though well built and reasonably priced will not hold a full 3wt line. It's good for a 1 or 2wt but a 3 is questionable.

ChrisI ma not totally giving up on this reel, I am going to talk to them this week and tell them the amount of line I am going to put on the spool, and get their take on line verses spool size for that particular reel. Thanks for link.

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About Me

I am an avid fly fisherman. I started fishing with my dad when I was five years old and have never known life without fishing. The love of the outdoors has been one of the reasons I have enjoyed fishing for all these years. It is the greatest therapy in the world. When I am on the water I forget about everything else except landing that elusive trout, bluegill, crappie or bass.